1red5 wrote:You don't need to change the fluid when you change pads, do you buy new wheels whenever you buy new tyres?, remember GP14 stated the fluid is only a year old and he doesn't track the car.
It's not his rotors because they were installed well over a year ago, so what he is getting at is that this is a fairly sudden occurence.
Do a thorough inspection on your brake lines as well.
So 1red5, you're saying not to change the brake fluid.
Sure, you don't have to change fluid when you change pads, but for the cost of fluid - $10 or $12 a bottle, why wouldn't you?!
We're not talking new tyres and wheels here
It doesn't hurt to renew the fluid often, regardless of whether you attend track days or not. Brake fluid
absorbs moisture, which in turn creates corrosion of internal brake components. You may remember how much rain was about the place over summer. Again, for the sake of $10 and 30 mins two or three times a year, why not make sure the only thing stopping you, your brakes, are in the best possible shape they could be? So the only reason I can see why you would make such a daft suggestion as to not change the brake fluid, is fiscal. If you can't afford to maintain your car properly, you can't afford to own it.
As for the rotors, well, buy some new rotors, read the installation instructions, and they will tell you to clean the surfaces with a brake parts cleaner before installing. That's not just my suggestion. Sure, don't do it and you will cruise around the streets for 12 months (not doing any spirited driving as GP14 has eluded to) and not notice that there is reduced performance because of the wax which wasn't removed from the rotor, but when you suddenly decide to drive down Mt Tamborine and ride the brakes, that's when the problem will rear its head. The pads would not be very worn, but I'll bet they're glazed - that's what wax can tend to do to them, and is why the manufacturers clearly state that the rotors should be cleaned before installation.
I'm not saying that
is definitely the problem, but checking it will go some way to solving the problem, and if it wasn't the problem, you'll have checked it, made certain, and be able to tick that off the check list of possible problems and know that your fluid, pads and rotors are doing their job correctly and to the best of their ability.
As for inspecting the brake lines, how do you suggest that be done 1red5? By looking at the exterior of them? What will that tell you about their internal condition? Brake lines can deteriorate internally and cause blockages to the fluid getting through - you can't see that from the outside, but changing the fluid more often than not will help prevent that too!!
Anyway, good luck GP14. Hopefully you'll have the problem sorted soon.
My view is that it doesn't hurt to carry out maintenance that might not be totally necessary at the time, but will help prevent problems in the future, and possibly save money in the future too.
